Sunday, March 2, 2008

Cover/Uncovered.....

i'm glad that, since digital music came of existence in the 90's with Napster, Kazaa, and the likes, i began compiling a library of tunes, many of them bootlegs, and have hung on to them. i never knew exactly what i would use them for, and this may not even be the ultimate destination for them, but my music folder is coming in handy right now.

So, i'm still on this Matt Powell kick, and last night, while perusing through his folder, i came across a live recorording of a song i wanna share with you:

Romeo & Juliet (Dire Straits)
Like most of the songs i'll feature on Cover/Uncovered i first heard the cover of this tune, and did a little exploring to hear the original cut - hence the 'uncovered'. Dire Straits was band that was created about a decade too late. In the 80's, while punk and electronic music reigned, Dire Straits was making what could be described as classic rock - with a folk tinge to it. Frontman Mark Knopfler, according to wiki, told bar owners to turn down amps, so the listeners could converse while they played, which kinda makes this recording of Matt Powell's cover of Mark's sweet take on an infamous couple just perfect.

mp3: Matt Powell - Romeo & Juliet (live)
At times you hear the partons and waitresses better than you hear Matt, whether Matt knew it or not, that's how Mark wanted his songs to be heard. Plus, all that commotion kinda adds to the feel of the acoustic, groovy, bongo-filled song.

mp3: Dire Straits - Romeo & Juliet ~ from Making Movies (1980)

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Water In The Fuel (Fred Eaglesmith)
Fred Eaglesmith might be known as the guy with nothin' but train/trucker/tractor songs, but when you can do them as well as he does, then go for it. i highlighted a Kasey Chambers cover last intallment, and here again, it's her taste in music that she covers that surprises me. Don't get me wrong, she can write a song herself, and i'll get to that artist spotlight for her soon.
mp3: Kasey Chambers - Water In The Fuel ~ from The Captain (Bonus Disc) (2000)
mp3: Fred Eaglesmith - Water In The Fuel ~ from Lipstick, Lies & Gasoline (1997)

**sidetrack**
here's another Kasey Chambers cover of Fred Eaglesmith - i was gonna do this song as the Cover/Uncovered, but couldn't find a studio version from Fred. Enjoy.

mp3: Kasey Chambers - Freight Train ~ from The Captain (Bonus Disc) (2000)

1 comment:

  1. Hey you should check out the Monte Montgomery version of Romeo and Juliet....crazy guitar.

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